He had known then that if he spoke to Nancy of
marriage, she would want it no matter how much it enraged her father.
But marriage with Nancy would be a coming together of two strangers, of
people whose worlds were utterly different. In the past six years he had
learned much about her world, but that did not mean he belonged in it.
And she knew next to nothing of his.

It hurt to hold himself back; he felt powerfully drawn to her. But what
he was feeling was impossible. Impossible to fulfill.

"I can use my schooling to help my people make a better life for
themselves. The gift my father gave me is a gift I will give to the
Sauk. And it may be worth more than the land Raoul has stolen from me."

"I don't want to lose you," she sobbed. She threw herself against him
and wrapped her arms around him. Her tear-wet cheek pressed against his.
Her face was hot, as though she had a fever. She wanted him; he felt it
now, just as he had seen it hours ago in her unguarded eyes.

"I've never cared for a man as I care for you, Auguste," she said.
"Everything you say may be true, but if you go back to your tribe I'll
never see you again."

It hurt Auguste to admit it, but it was almost certain that they would
never meet again.

"If you want to--you could come with me." Even as he spoke, he was sure
it would never work. Did she not dismiss the way of the Sauk as "hunting
and living in a wigwam"?

And suppose Redbird _had_ waited for him? What would he do with Nancy
then?

"No," she said. "If I went with you my father would hunt us down and
Raoul would help him. And besides--" She hesitated.

"What else?"

She shook her head. "I'm too afraid. Indians frighten me. Not you. Real
Indians."

_Real Indians?_

Anger pulsed in his head. He wanted to pull away from her then, but she
wouldn't let him go. Her arms tightened around him, and her body moved
against him.

"Auguste, do you know where it says in the Bible, 'Adam knew Eve, his
wife'? I want to know you--that way."

Her soft words thrilled him, and he forgot his anger. He felt exalted,
and he held her tightly. He had wanted Nancy ever since he met her last
June. All summer long, desiring her, he had fought his desire.

He pressed his mouth on hers, crushing her soft, full lips. She was
pulling at him now, pulling him down. Pulling him to lie with her
between the rows of corn.

_I must not do this._

Abruptly he steadied his feet and drew his face away from hers.